February 9, 2003: “I remember when I was little, and my mom lifted me above her shoulders to see the dances,” Lily commented as we looked on. A lion passed by, its colour vibrant and lucky, with its dance tantamount to the drums beating violently. The wind threatened to topple the children on police pickets behind me. Our spectators shouted with glee; they leaned forward to touch the strange creatures with greetings and goodbyes. I retained some of my childhood spirit while following their lead. Not far away on stage, were Vivian, May, Edna, and the other Lily. Vivian, who is easily distracted, kept looking back at our little group. I turned around and saw Jason waving back to her—they were the glove twins: You see, Jason didn’t bring gloves; his hand would be falling off if it were not for our big sister. I smiled in agreement as I thought of the her scarf on my neck. It was very cold, and I was there for ASIA as a human windbreaker.

“And now look at us,” continued Lily. “We’re right here in the front!” Perhaps I’ll never understand her enthusiasm- most likely brought on by the hysteria from cold weather- but this was my first Chinese New Year’s celebration, and I wanted to learn as much as I could that Sunday. “Are these oranges for us to eat?” I asked. “Why are there cabbages here?” “Eww,” I remarked as I wiped my hands on Jason’s overcoat. Maybe I’ll make more sense by going to the beginning.  

The eleven of us- Ashley, Christina, Edna, myself, Jason, Lily Chan (other Lily), Lily Zhong, May, Nellie, Vivian, and Wendy- met up outside Sovereign Bank in Chinatown. Nothing really changed the scene, except for coffee cups replacing tank tops and otherwise reprehensible summer clothing. ASIA was there long before the barren stage teemed with ceremony, and ahead of the crowds that would eventually gather in the closed streets. Rosemary, our CBA organizer, decided to give the easy jobs to the “guys” this time, during the year of the goat. Meaning: Jason and I were in charge of security. As for the girls, who outnumber us in every way, they were to assist us in carrying tables (they put their hands under the tables as Jason and I bore the weight), and prepare the ceremonial items for the lions.

“Eww,” remarked Lily Chan as she tried to wipe cabbage on my jacket. While we distanced ourselves accordingly, organizers and city councilors came together to wish each other a “Happy New Year,” in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Photographers and news-crews accompanied Mayor Menino and the Secretary of State. One of the organizers handed out beveled pins with the official New Year’s stamp on the inside. Jason and I looked like “Secret Agents,” as Vivian pointed out later. Christina wanted a picture of me posing as an Air Force pilot with Vivian’s scarf. The day was filled with performances, awe-inspiring spectacles, and great enjoyment. Fireworks blanketed the streets, lion dancers from regional schools jumped up and down while Rosemary explained to the crowd this Chinese tradition. Frankly, our activity, though smaller than August Moon and Asian Night, provided all the grandeur and excitement that you couldn’t possibly imagine as an audience. It wasn’t much of what we accomplished today for the community; rather- this time- what the celebration taught us. And for me, it was more than red envelopes of money or tasting great dishes. Being able to tag along with ASIA this day gave me a clear definition of what Chinese New Year really meant.

- by James Zhang (Class of 2004) Photography by Christina Kwan (Class of 2003)